Songs are an incredible strategy to use in classrooms to help students understand content and language. It especially helps English Language learners jump over the language barrier of understanding content. How many of us remember “School House Rocks?” I learned all about how a “Bill” woks on Capital hill just by hearing that song almost every Saturday morning. Why? Songs are catchy, rhythmic, fun and apart of our lives. Why do five year olds imitate Michael Jackson, because their parents played his songs over and over since he/she was a baby. The same technique can be effective in the classroom. Songs can be used to acquire language by having students listen to music in the background, using Krashen’s silent period, students would be exposed to the language in a non threatening form. So rather your teaching a song about the California gold rush or playing Christmas carols in the background songs are an effective teaching strategy because students connect with songs no matter what language you speak. Music unites us all. Listed are a few reasons songs should be incorporated into learning content standards. Learning should be fun and engaging and a song just might help accomplish that!
= Songs are:
Fun
Rhythmic
Community builders
Repetitive
Confidence boosters
Listening and Memory aides
Attention grabbers
Excellent classroom management tools
Able to promote T.P.R. (Total Physical Response)
Helpful in learning a new language
The list could go on and on to further research other reasons why songs are a good strategy go to http://teflunes.com. You will find a number of ways to incorporate songs into your lessons.
How to use Songs:
Keep them simple
Make sure they are appropriate( I don’t think Lady Gaga has any songs that fit the standards)
Print out or write out lyrics
Explain key vocabulary if needed
Make sure they have a fun, catchy beat
Use pictures, actions, facial movements
If you find a song to be too difficult, break it down for students( remember keep it simple, why do we love that “Call Me Maybe Song” because it’s easy)
Play it in the background, while students are doing independent work
Allow students to share appropriate songs form his/her culture
"Songs" a SDAIE strategy by Angela White
Songs are an incredible strategy to use in classrooms to help students understand content and language. It especially helps English Language learners jump over the language barrier of understanding content. How many of us remember “School House Rocks?” I learned all about how a “Bill” woks on Capital hill just by hearing that song almost every Saturday morning. Why? Songs are catchy, rhythmic, fun and apart of our lives. Why do five year olds imitate Michael Jackson, because their parents played his songs over and over since he/she was a baby. The same technique can be effective in the classroom. Songs can be used to acquire language by having students listen to music in the background, using Krashen’s silent period, students would be exposed to the language in a non threatening form. So rather your teaching a song about the California gold rush or playing Christmas carols in the background songs are an effective teaching strategy because students connect with songs no matter what language you speak. Music unites us all. Listed are a few reasons songs should be incorporated into learning content standards. Learning should be fun and engaging and a song just might help accomplish that!
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Songs are:
- Fun
- Rhythmic
- Community builders
- Repetitive
- Confidence boosters
- Listening and Memory aides
- Attention grabbers
- Excellent classroom management tools
- Able to promote T.P.R. (Total Physical Response)
- Helpful in learning a new language
The list could go on and on to further research other reasons why songs are a good strategy go to http://teflunes.com. You will find a number of ways to incorporate songs into your lessons.How to use Songs:
References:
Dr. Jean; "Who Let The Letters out"